Regina Coeli Convent Church
Regina Coeli Convent Church | ||
---|---|---|
Iglesia del Convento de Regina Coeli | ||
Year consecrated 1731 | | |
Location | ||
Location | Mexico City, Mexico | |
Geographic coordinates | 19°25′40.95″N 99°8′20.46″W / 19.4280417°N 99.1390167°W | |
Architecture | ||
Type | Church | |
Style | Churrigueresque | |
Groundbreaking | 1573 | |
Materials | masonry and tezontle |
Regina Coeli Convent Church is a
The church building is the only functioning portion of a former 16th century convent. The church is Churrigueresque in style from the 18th century and was part of the convent of Regina Coeli Conceptionist nuns.[1] The former convent was closed during the Reform War and is generally not open to the public. The church is still open to worship and visitors and contains several of its original gilded Churrigueresque altarpieces from the 18th century. One in particular, the altar dedicated to the Virgin of the Fountain is an early, but developed example of the Churrigueresque style. Despite the church’s status as a national monument, it has had serious conservation problems due to deterioration since the mid 20th century.
History
The land was ceded to the Conceptionists in 1573 to establish a convent, with official Vatican permission obtained from
The convent operated until 1863, when the Reform Laws closed it down,
In 1982, the complex was declared a Historical Monument of the Nation.[3]
Starting in the mid 20th century, the deterioration of the church building has been a serious problem. In 1945, a water leak ruined a painting of Saint Christopher. This water seeping prompted remodeling work in 1966, which included of water sealants.[3] However, the building continues to deteriorate, mostly due to humidity in the roof and walls. This causes the crumbling masonry and danger to those paintings directly applied to the building. Recently the arches near the choir area were replaced completely due to the severe damage from time and elements. In 2006, the outer walls facing Regina Street were scraped and painted but not those facing Bolivar Street. More work needs to be done but the city has offered limited funds and the parish has not been able to raise the remainder to seal the walls from further water damage.[1]
The church has suffered robberies of its paintings, mostly during the Reform War and the Cristero War, with a number on the altarpieces now being copies. Other robberies of art objects, money and other items have been much more recent.[1]
The “Fenix Novohispano” National Theater Company performed a work based on the legends associated with the church and its convent called “Historias de vivos, muertos y aparecidos” (Story of the living, dead and appearances). It consists of four works based on different legends, such as "Panes maravillosos" (Marvelous breads), "Delito con su castigo" (Crime with its punishment) y "De la tentación" (Of Temptation),[6][7] The first tells of a nun of the order who could cure the sick with her bread. The second refers to the story of Don Felizardo Peñalva, who robbed a head of Christ made of gold and was found dead in the church, appearing to have been hanged. The last centers on a friar who is attracted to a voluptuous woman.[6][7]
Regina Street was revitalized by the city by making it pedestrian only, with all services such as electricity and water provided underground. Stone and brick paving was installed as well as benches, lighting and trees. This work has prompted the revitalization of many of the private buildings on the street as well.[8]
Description
The complex was built with masonry,
The facade of the church is simple and has been recently painted.[1] It is marked by a slender bell tower and an octagonal dome.[5] A set of tiles at the foot of the bell tower laid in 1773 marks the 200th anniversary of the convent’s founding.[4] The exterior of the dome is divided into clearly marked segments that are decorated with tiles and pinnacles.[5]
Inside, the nave runs east-west and is covered by a
In addition to the main altar, several original side altarpieces remain.
Other features of the interior of the main nave are interior pediments with black and gold mouldings and are decorated with paintings which are possibly done by
Over the main door is an enormous canvas of Saint Christopher and opposite this, next to the altarpiece dedicated to Francis of Assisi, is a doorway leading to the Medina Picazo Chapel, the work of architect Miguel Custodio Durán, which dates from 1733. This chapel began as the cell, or living quarters, of the daughter of colonial doctor Pedro López after she took her vows to become a nun. After her death, her brother had the cell restored and transformed into the current chapel. The entrance of this chapel is made of sculpted sandstone and was once golden, looking like an altarpiece flanked by somewhat flame, flame-shaped Salomonic columns. The undulations of the columns are repeated in the
The upper choir area has a rectangular iron railing and also has the appearance of an altarpiece. Acanthus leaves are used to form the fretwork containing a series of medallions bearing the anagrams of the "Five Persons": Jesus, Mary, Joseph and Mary's parents Joaquín and Ana. The railing is surrounded by moulding that appears to thread through the fretwork. Originally this work was red and gold but the red has turned gray over time. Inside the choir, there are eight paintings by Pueblan artist Francisco Antonio Vallejo.[5]
See also
References
- ^ a b c d e "Ataca la humedad a Regina Coeli" [Moisture attacks Regina Coeli] (in Spanish). Mexico City: Sistema Informativo de la Archidiocesis of Mexico. November 4, 2008. Retrieved August 8, 2010.
- ^ a b c "Plaza Regina Coeli" (in Spanish). Mexico City: Government of Mexico City. Retrieved August 8, 2010.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j "Iglesia de Regina Coelli" [Church of Regina Coeli] (in Spanish). Mexico: INDAABIN. August 2002. Archived from the original on July 22, 2011. Retrieved August 8, 2010.
- ^ CONACULTA. Retrieved August 8, 2010.
- ^ ISBN 968-5437-29-7.
- ^ a b c d "Leyendas en el Exconvento Regina Coeli" [Legends in the former convent of Regina Coeli]. Terra (in Spanish). Mexico City. March 25, 2008. Retrieved August 8, 2010.
- ^ a b c "Muestran en teatro leyendas del ex Convento de Regina Coeli" [Present in theater the legens of the former convent of Regina Coeli]. El Universal (in Spanish). Mexico City. Notimex. March 24, 2008. Retrieved August 8, 2010.
- ^ "La calle de Regina, como nueva..." [Regina Street, like new...] (in Spanish). Mexico: Ritos y Retos del Centro Historico. Retrieved August 8, 2010.
- ^ a b c d Fernando Ríos (July 16, 2008). "Parroquia de Regina, joya de la ciudad" [Regina Parish, jewel of the city]. El Sol de México (in Spanish). Mexico City. Retrieved August 8, 2010.
- ^ "Our Lady of the Fountain". Exploring Colonial Mexico. Espadaña Press. Retrieved August 8, 2010.